"When a Rams contingent hopped a private jet a week ago to work out five wide receivers, they were so enamored of Quick, they rated him as 1B of the five, right behind Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon at 1A. Next came Illinois' A.J. Jenkins, followed by Michael Floyd of Notre Dame and Kendall Wright of Baylor."

I think what he's saying is we weren't the only team enamored with Jenkins. And I actually find credence in other teams' eval of players. Media pundits and draftniks always scream "reach" but NFL GMs really know what guys are actually reaches. So for another team to rank AJ just behind Blackmon and Wright shows we put excellent value on him, as he would have gone just 3 picks later. I also remember Marvin Lewis saying how much they liked Jenkins so he could have been a possibility for the Bengals in the second round as well. If I had to take a wild guess, I would say we probably had Hill rated after AJ. Seems like we were grading on the explosive elements the receivers brought to the table while the Rams were grading on the more complete receivers on the outside. The reason I said that is the James pick points to it, as well. We seem to coveted guys with more home-run potential. Guys who could take a wheel route to the house. Thats what we lacked and thats how it seems our board was set-up when it came to the skill-positions.

Just because the Rams had Jenkins rated high doesn't mean it was a good pick. The Rams haven't exactly had many good drafts in recent years...

Rams have a different GM and HC.

Also, i thought the Rams had Jenkins ahead of Quick, but according to the article it was the other way around. Baalke said he couldn't trade down otherwise they could have lost him. Something's fishy either way.

The Niners ranked AJ higher because he presented a combination of need and fit meeting value and talent. They wanted speedy, explosive players, thus why he and James were ranked highly on the Niners board overall, compared to bigger WRs like Quick and Hill. I still want them to get a big WR that is a redzone threat but the signing of Moss helped ease that need, assuming he makes the team and plays the roll they need him to.

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Operation 2015 Super Bowl Champions: In progress, with much work to be done

This whole "reach" or "steal" is all media produced. None of it matters outside of production in NFL games.

Many, many "draftniks" would've been more comfortable with Marvin Jones going in the 30-40 range over AJ Jenkins... ended up going in the 5th round!!!!

It's like the Steelers' draft. It looks AMAZING on paper, based upon media perception. But the reality thus far is that each and every single one of those players that "fell into their laps" and were "steals" were being passed over by other NFL GMs for a reason. That's the reality now.

The important reality is down the line, once they lace up their pads and hit the field.

Jenkins wasn't even a reach by traditional standards anyway. Apparently he was highly thought of by pro scouts, and he was noted as rising up draft boards a few days before the draft.

Quote:

AJ Jenkins, WR, Illinois: Jenkins capped off an ultra-productive senior season by breaking the 4.4-second barrier in the 40 at the combine. Teams are so enamored with Jenkins they traveled to privately work him out this weekend. Expect the reliable pass catcher to be selected somewhere in the middle of round two.

• “We did not have Justin Blackmon as our top receiver. We would not have taken him at all. We brought him in for a visit. He’s not a bad kid. There’s just an arrogance there. Michael Floyd was at the top of our board, and (Illinois WR) A.J. Jenkins was next.”

I think he'll surprise people this year. I don't know if he'll be an OROY candidate or anything, but i feel he's probably going to be an immediate backup and will see some valuable time right off the bat. Definitely not going to get beat out by Kyle Williams.

Man, why can't every player have Rice's attitude? Thats why he'll always be by favorite player. I love Joe Cool but Rice just has a special place in my Niner heart. He was ALWAYS trying to outdo his own standards, not the team or the league . Love that AJ is already reaching out to him.

If Jenkins can become even 1/3 as good as Rice was, he'll still be the best receiver that we've had since Owens.

And speaking of Owens, is it true that he's the only other player to complete "the hill" besides Rice?

Roger Craig introduced Jerry Rice to "The Hill", and if I recall he could complete it as well.

Here was an interesting comment from that link on the story:

Quote:

YES, the “Hill” is in San Mateo County (home of Tom Brady) at Edgewood Park.

Take Edgewood Exit off I-280 and you will see signs for Edgewood Park.

The trail starts from the Park Entrance on Sylvan Loop and winds itself up 600+ feet of vertical to Edgeview loop to the top of the knoll, or highest point in Edgewood Park with view of entire South Bay and Western Santa Cruz mountains.

The circuit is brutal and your mind / body wants to quit the first mile, let alone 4 miles of sprinting up 600+ feet of vertical. Jerry is the only one supposedly who can sprint the entire distance.

Follow these directions to see if you have the mental and physical makeup of a Hall of Famer

I'd really like to try and do the hill one day down the road when I'm in better shape (currently working at it).

I hope A.J. Jenkins does all he can do take advantage of the opportunities that are presenting themselves. Maybe Crabtree will follow suit.

Alex Boone is getting reps at RG according to 49ers.com. I still think Kilgore is going to be the opening day starter though. I actually kind of hope Kilgore can slide to C and Looney play RG. Would give us a really young OL overall. Goodwin seemed overmatched a lot of times last year and he's getting up there too. But i doubt Goodwin gets replaced, just thinking out loud.